Information from Taneytown Polce Department on May 2, 2024: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION We are actively investigating the incident that occurred last night in the area of Meades/Bull Run. On 5/1/2024 at 10:05pm, TPD officers were dispatched after receiving several complaints of dirt bikes in the roadway operating in a reckless manner. After canvassing the area, the operators were located by officers and a traffic stop was initiated. At this time, the suspects fled and evaded police. We are asking citizens that if you have any video of the suspects in this case, to please email the footage to rdar ..read more

David Smith (co-owner of the Baltimore Sun) will be attending a meeting in Carroll County on May 7, 2024. Mr. Smith will be a guest speaker at the Republican Club of Carroll County meeting and will be discussing “Bias in the media” at their meeting. Here are the details: Date: Tuesday – May 7, 2024 Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Location: Carroll County FOP Lodge in Westminster Back in January of 2024 it was announced “Sinclair Broadcast’s David Smith buys Baltimore Sun” “In buying Baltimore Sun Media Group, Smith will also acquire the Towson Times, Carroll County Times, Capital Gazette papers in Ann ..read more

Maryland State Police Arrest Man In Connection With Shooting In Carroll County Maryland State Police arrested a man in connection with a shooting that occurred on Sunday in Carroll County. The suspect, identified as Jose Manchame, 41, of Manchester, Maryland, was arrested on scene the night of the incident. He is charged with first-degree assault. Shortly after 6 p.m. on April 28, 2024, the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack received a call for a report of an adult male victim that had been struck by gunfire during a party at a residence in the 4900 block of Hanover Pike (Route 30) in ..read more

Sheriff’s Office arrests two for CDS possession after traffic stop On April 29th, 2024, at approximately 2:51pm, a Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was on patrol in the area of Taneytown Pike and Hughes Shop Road in Westminster when he observed a silver Chrysler Town and County van travelling at what appeared to be greater than the posted 55 mile per hour limit, which was confirmed with the vehicle’s RADAR unit. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop and found that both the driver and front seat passenger did not have valid driver’s licenses, and the driver’s information was showing a pote ..read more

Details from Carroll County Government: For the first time since 2005, Carroll County, with assistance from the consulting firm Mosaic Community Planning, is completing a new Housing Study for the county. Mosaic’s Housing Study will provide Carroll County with a detailed analysis of the current housing stock – its availability, accessibility, adequacy, and affordability – as well as an assessment of the housing needed to meet future demand. This analysis will be informed by significant data analysis and engagement with stakeholders and community members and will inform strategic, actionable f ..read more

The following information is from Carroll County Government: The Carroll County Board of Commissioners is pleased to invite everyone to the 3rd Annual Veterans Celebration of Carroll County.  This family-friendly event will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024, from noon – 4:00 PM at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster. This is a day to celebrate all Veterans, military, and their families, so everyone is invited and encouraged to attend this free gathering. The day includes live entertainment, food trucks and vendors, children’s activities, military exhibits, crafters and more. Two band ..read more

Early voting for the 2024 Primary Election begins in three days (May 2nd). There are three locations in Carroll County where residents can cast their vote. Here are the details: Early Voting for the Primary Election: Thursday, May 2, 2024 through Thursday, May 9, 2024 Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. You can go to any one of these locations to vote early: Westminster Senior Center – 125 Stoner Avenue, Westminster South Carroll Senior Center – 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Sykesville Coppermine PantherPlex – 1400 Panther Drive, Hampstead You can find the Carroll County Observer on the ..read more

This is part 2 of looking at items in the Carroll County Government FY25 Proposed Budget. You can find information from Part 1 (Tax Increases and General Fund Expenses) HERE. As mentioned previously the proposed budget document released on April 26th is 148 pages (view it HERE) and there is a lot of information to read through to learn about what has been proposed. There is one items I will focus on for this article: Growth in the number of County Government Employees. Growth in the number of County Government Employees: We hear a lot of recurring funds vs one time funds (well, if you listen ..read more

On Friday April 26th Carroll County Government published the FY25 Proposed Budget on their website to the public. You can find the document on this PAGE. The full document is 148 pages and there is a lot of information to read through to learn about what has been proposed. There are two items I will focus on for this article: Tax Increases and General Fund Expenses. Tax Increases: On page 15 of the PDF: “The Commissioners, to partially fund these initiatives, are proposing increases in the County’s Recordation and Property Taxes. Beginning July 1, 2024, Recordation Tax will increase from $5.0 ..read more

Details from Gamber & Community Fire Company on April 26th: Chimney Fire Escalates to Attic Fire Gamber & Community Fire Co. was alerted for a chimney fire at approximately 5:17 pm on Thursday, April 25. The fire was located on Christiana Drive in Finksburg, in a development off of Amanda Lane and Rt. 91. Additionally, units from Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department were dispatched on the initial alarm. Chief 13, Chad Hastings, arrived and advised a working fire in the roof around the chimney with extension into the attic. He requested a full house fire assignment. This resulte ..read more